Pardon My Take: NFL Week 13 Analysis, Bears' Coaching Shake-Up, Eagles' Momentum, and MVP Contenders

Release Date: December 2, 2024

On this episode of "Pardon My Take," hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter delve deep into the whirlwind of NFL Week 13, dissecting pivotal games, controversial coaching decisions, and the heated race for the MVP title. Joined by contributors Hank, Memes, and Max, the panel offers a blend of sharp analysis, humorous banter, and unfiltered opinions that encapsulate the highs and lows of the football season.

I. NFL Week 13 Overview

Big Cat opens the discussion by setting the stage for Week 13, highlighting the Thanksgiving Day games and significant team developments.

[03:00] PFT Commenter: "Some spread."

II. Thanksgiving Day Games Recap

The hosts break down the Thanksgiving matchups, starting with the intense showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Bengals vs. Steelers: The game concluded with a thrilling Steelers 44, Bengals 38 victory, signaling the end of Cincinnati's playoff hopes.

  Big Cat [03:53]: "Steelers 44, Bengals 38 we go over."

• Falcons vs. Chargers: A close contest ended with the Chargers 17, Falcons 13, despite defensive struggles from both sides.

  Big Cat [04:21]: "The Chargers 17, the Falcons 13."

III. Bears Fire Head Coach Matt Eberflus

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Chicago Bears' decision to part ways with head coach Matt Eberflus.

• Performance Analysis: The Bears' recent losses, particularly underclose games and questionable timeout decisions, led to mounting pressure.

  Big Cat [12:24]: "They have lost six in a row, I believe now. The Hail Mary, two games where they quit, a block field goal against your rival, an overtime loss, and then the timeout game. Yeah, it's insane."

• Firing Process: The chaotic nature of Eberflus's firing during a press conference underscores organizational dysfunction.

  PFT Commenter [15:13]: "He gets fired. Do you think in a weird way that this was like a job interview?"

• Future Coaching Prospects: Big Cat expresses hope for potential hires like Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel, while criticizing the Bears' ownership for hindering team success.

  Big Cat [24:27]: "But again, the Bears organization will probably ruin anyone, because at the end of the day, it's the McCaskeys and it's Virginia McCaskey who is very, very old..."

IV. Team Analyses

The panel provides insights into various teams' performances and prospects:

• Eagles: Highlighted as "real for real," the Eagles showcase strong performances, positioning themselves as serious contenders.

  Big Cat [08:22]: "Eagles 24, Ravens 19 thanks max."

• Commanders vs. Titans: The Commanders secured a decisive 42-19 win over the Titans, bolstering their playoff chances.

  Big Cat [07:49]: "Commanders 42, the Titans 19."

• Vikings vs. Cardinals: A nail-biting finish saw the Vikings edge out the Cardinals 23-22, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading crucial drives.

  Big Cat [07:49]: "Vikings 23, Cardinals 22."

V. MVP Race: Josh Allen vs. Saquon Barkley vs. Joe Burrow

The discussion shifts to the emerging competition for the MVP award, weighing the performances of Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, and Joe Burrow.

• Josh Allen: As Allen continues to post impressive statistics, Big Cat remains optimistic about his MVP chances despite coaching inconsistencies.

  Big Cat [19:18]: "Caleb Williams, given what he has been stacked against in terms of the coaching, has been great."

• Saquon Barkley: Barkley's consistent performance and potential to win MVP garner strong support from the hosts.

  PFT Commenter [29:17]: "If a running back wins MVP, then they wouldn't necessarily have to give offensive career of the year to just the best quarterback on the best team."

• Joe Burrow: Despite leading his team with stellar stats, Burrow's team's defensive shortcomings are a hindrance to his MVP aspirations.

  Big Cat [62:39]: "You can't waste these seasons when you have a quarterback like Joe Burrow."

VI. Sunday Games Recaps and Analysis

The hosts review key Sunday matchups, providing breakdowns of standout performances and critical plays.

• Chiefs vs. Raiders: A narrow Chiefs 19, Raiders 17 victory emphasizes the Chiefs' resilience but questions their offensive line's consistency.

  PFT Commenter [46:33]: "The Chiefs are 11 and 1. They have the worst point differential of any 11-1 team in history."

• Steelers vs. Bengals: The Steelers' dominant win demonstrates their strategic prowess and defense's impact on the game's outcome.

  Big Cat [59:01]: "Russell Wilson was awesome, throwing for over 400 yards. Their defense made a couple huge plays."

• Colts vs. Patriots: A tense Colts 25, Patriots 24 finish highlights Drake Mayfield's game-winning drives, despite the Patriots' questionable play-calling.

  Hank [88:48]: "Anthony Richardson looked really good. Drake Mayfield played well."

• Vikings vs. Cardinals: Sam Darnold's leadership in a comeback bid underscores the Vikings' potential despite earlier struggles.

  Big Cat [71:08]: "Sam Darnold, he was awesome down the stretch, led them on two touchdown drives."

VII. Thanksgiving Food Discussion

Stepping away from the gridiron, the hosts share their Thanksgiving meal experiences, adding a personal touch to the episode.

• Favorite Dishes: From traditional turkey and stuffing to inventive creations like Thanksgiving soup, the conversation highlights diverse culinary preferences.

  PFT Commenter [32:19]: "I just thought a perfect recap for this game would be to just talk instead about what we ate on Thanksgiving."

• Leftover Creativity: Ideas range from deep-fried turkey for the office to using leftovers creatively in soups and sandwiches.

  Big Cat [35:06]: "I was a joy to be around on Friday. People are like, hey, you're so negative."

VIII. Super Bowl Predictions and Playoff Implications

Looking ahead, the panel speculates on potential Super Bowl matchups and the playoff landscape based on Week 13 outcomes.

• Packers vs. Lions: A pivotal Thursday Night Football game could determine the NFC North's fate, with Big Cat expressing anxiety over the Packers' chances against a formidable Lions squad.

  Big Cat [43:57]: "I'm officially very, very nervous that this Thursday night football game against the Lions. The Packers-Lions game is going to be..."

• Eagles' Playoff Run: The Eagles' robust performance suggests a strong likelihood of securing a playoff spot and advancing deep into the postseason.

  Max [84:56]: "If the packers win this game, they're looking at, hey, we could win the North."

• Chiefs' Title Hopes: Despite their excellent record, concerns about offensive line issues and point differential cast doubt on the Chiefs' Super Bowl aspirations.

  Big Cat [51:50]: "They have the worst point differential of any 11-1 team in history."

IX. Rivalries and Organizational Critiques

The hosts critique team ownership and coaching decisions, particularly targeting the Bears and Giants for their organizational missteps.

• Bears' Ownership: Big Cat lambastes the Bears' ownership, blaming them for the team's continual downturn and lack of strategic direction.

  PFT Commenter [16:11]: "If you're not a football guy and you're in charge of a football team, you should probably try to find a different job."

• Giants vs. Bears Parallels: Drawing similarities between the Giants and Bears, the conversation underscores frustrations with both organizations' inability to sustain success.

  Big Cat [40:08]: "They are both really handling run a team, but they're a joke and they are terrible owners."

X. Conclusion

Wrapping up, Big Cat and PFT Commenter reflect on the tumultuous week, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football and the ever-present hope for their favorite teams.

Big Cat [10:10]: "Week 13 in the books. What a week of football. What a week of football."

This episode of "Pardon My Take" masterfully balances in-depth sports analysis with lighthearted, relatable discussions, offering listeners a comprehensive recap of NFL Week 13 while keeping the conversation engaging and entertaining.